president Mukherjee to embark on a six-day visit to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Namibia from tomorrow

With India trying to boost its relations with African countries, President Pranab Mukherjee will embark on a six-day visit to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Namibia from June 12.

During his trip, President Mukherjee will be accompanied by a Minister of State, four Members of the Parliament, senior officials and a business delegation. On his arrival, he will be received by Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur and will be accorded a traditional Ghanian welcome.

The President will hold meetings with respective heads of the three nations and a number of bilateral agreements are also likely to be signed during the visit. The President will address a Joint Business Forum and the students and faculty of University of Ghana besides having an interaction with the Indian community at a reception organised at the Indian High Commission. He will also unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.

In the second leg of his visit starting June 14, the President will arrive in Abidjan, where he will have a meeting with Republic of Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara and also sign a number of agreements. “The agreement regarding opening of EXIM Bank Representative/Regional in Abidjan would be handed over in presence of both the Presidents. The President would address a Joint Business Forum and also interact with the Indian Community,” a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

In the last leg of his visit, President Mukherjee will arrive in the Namibian capital Windhoek on June 15. “The visit, apart from consolidating bilateral interaction, will carry forward the momentum generated in India-Africa ties post-IAFS-III,” the statement said. It said during the visit, discussions will be held on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

“President Mukherjee will also address a joint session of Namibian Parliament, an India-Namibia Business event, and the Namibian University of Science and Technology,” it said.
ANI